In my primary email address, my service provider allows me five lines only for a signature. I've seen sigs that were much longer, and ones much shorter. Right now, I'm using all five lines. But is that too much? Too little?

I'd love some input, if you have any thoughts on the subject of signature length. :)

Monday, October 25, 2010

A few years ago, I tried to write some poems, mostly sf/f related.Unfortunately, I've never been the best at poems. For one thing,I was always confused by forms--and which syllables had stresses.When I write poetry, I just write what sounds good to me. Anyway,I was never able to sell any of them. I ran across them recently, andI still like them, though. Here's one now. -Alice :)

Apolloby Alice M. Roelke

Accumulationof our hopes fears dreamsrockets raced to the moonmetaphorically red white and blueshow of strength, national pridedaydreams made real

Men stood on dry seaswatched the earth riseOn angel's wings, rocket wingsyou seemed to carry all our hopes, dreamstook our hearts into spaceAmerican flag on extraterrestrial soilShow of peacehope for future days

Thursday, October 21, 2010

All of my writing life, I've thought that the next success, I'd find a feeling of confidence about my writing. If I ever got a story accepted. If I ever got more accepted, or "enough" accepted. Then, if I ever got a longer story accepted.

After each stage, it's never worked. Writing doesn't bring me the feeling of acceptance or being worthy orvaluable that I want.

But, I still love it. I still write 'for me.' I write because I can't not write. I write because it helps me stay sane.I write because I'm a writer.

But, when I look for that feeling, of finally being "worthy" in my writing--I'm disappointed.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

It was lots of fun. I talked to three people and bought a few books (although nothing expensive).

My mother offered to buy me a Sherlock Holmes-themed book, but I resisted temptation. (I'm a bigfan, but it comes in waves, and I didn't want her wasting money on something I might not read for six months or more.)

She was quite nice, and had a fancy hat! It lookedreally cool, and I more than ever believe the adviceI once read about how authors should wear a "funny hat." (Well, her hat wasn't 'funny,' it was actually really cool-looking....)

And I bought a Donald Lam and Bertha Cool mysteryby A. A. Fair for three dollars from a nice booksellerwho said he wished he'd brought along more of them, A very kind bookselling woman, whom I unfortunatelydidn't catch the name of, helped me pick out some cheap westerns.

(I've been in the mood since discovering humorous 60swestern-themed TV series, "Alias Smith and Jones," about two ex-criminals trying to go straight, and the troublesthey manage to get into.)

I also looked at some old photographs, but didn't buy any. It feels like such a splurge, and faintly creepy, since I didn't know the people and they are now dead.I still like old photographs, but haven't quite flipped theswitch and become a collector.

I also saw the York Emporium guy there, although Ididn't talk to him today.